TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Split Doubleheader against Springfield

Published on June 15, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals split a doubleheader against the Springfield Cardinals on Saturday night, dropping an 8-2 decision in the opening game but earning a split with a 6-1 victory in game two.

Game 1: Springfield 8, Naturals 2

The Springfield Cardinals took an early 3-0 lead and didn't look back en route to an 8-2 win. Mike O'Neil reached on a leadoff walk and scored as James Ramsey hit a two-run home run to right field. Chris Swauger hit his sixth home run of the season off of Naturals starter Andy Ferguson to give the Cardinals and starting pitcher Nick Greenwood a 3-0 lead before the defense could take the field.

The Cardinals added a pair of runs in the sixth inning as Xavier Scruggs hit a two-run home run to right field to give the Cardinals a 5-0 lead. The Cardinals added three runs in the seventh inning on an O'Neil double and a pair of singles.

Northwest Arkansas got on the board in the bottom of the seventh as Cheslor Cuthbert hit a one-out double and scored on a Rey Navarro single. Yem Prades scored on a Roman Hernandez sacrifice fly, but Greenwood ended the Naturals' rally by inducing a popout to end the game.

Greenwood earned his second win of the year, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts in a complete game, seven-inning performance. Greenwood held the Naturals hitless until Yem Prades hit a two-out triple in the fifth.

Andy Ferguson suffered his first loss of the season after allowing three runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in five innings. Noel Arguelles allowed five runs, three earned, on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts in two innings.

Game 2: Naturals 6, Springfield 1

A pair of home runs from Manny Pina and Matt Fields powered the Naturals offense as they earned a doubleheader split with the Cardinals thanks to a 6-1 win.

Pina hit his fourth home run of the season to lead off the third inning, giving the Naturals a 1-0 lead. Matt Fields hit his team-leading 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning to push the Naturals' advantage to 2-0.

Springfield cut the lead to one in the fifth inning as Luis Mateo reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to third on a double and scored on a Mike O'Neil groundout. Northwest Arkansas scored two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take control of the game. Mitch Canham led off with a double to left field, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an error during a pickoff attempt by Springfield pitcher Heath Wyatt. Roman Hernandez scored on an error by Springfield catcher Audry Perez to give the Naturals a 4-1 lead.

Northwest Arkansas added two insurance runs in the sixth inning on a two-out double by Manny Pina. Pina went two-for-two with a home run, double and three RBI.

The game was delayed for 1 hour, 13 minutes minutes with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning due to rain.

Scott Alexander earns his first Double-A win in his first appearance with the Naturals. Alexander allowed one run on two hits with a strikeout in one inning. Zach Jackson struck out two batters in two scoreless innings for his second save of the year. Edwin Carl, making his first Double-A start, allowed two hits with three strikeouts in four scoreless innings.

Corey Baker takes his first loss of the season. Baker allowed four runs, three earned on five hits with one walk and a strikeout in 4.1 innings.

The Naturals will begin a four-game series tomorrow against the Arkansas Travelers in North Little Rock at 6:10 p.m. The Naturals have not decided on a starter for the series opener. Brandon Hynick (5-3, 3.14 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Travs.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 15, 2013


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